UNLEASHED 
Delay Sparks Feud Between Andrade and Haggerty
Fabricio Andrade robustly denied Jonathan Haggerty’s claims that the postponement of their awaited ONE Championship bout is due to him. Earlier, the British “General” insinuated that the Brazilian might have needed more preparation time. Originally scheduled for ONE Fight Night 15 in Bangkok during October, the battle for the vacant bantamweight kickboxing title has been shifted to headline ONE Fight Night 16 on November 4.
Bantamweight Muay Thai champion, Haggerty, aged 27, was already gearing up in Koh Samui when he learned of the delay. Nonetheless, a defiant Andrade, stationed in Phuket, quickly refuted these accusations on Instagram, jesting about Haggerty’s past defeats and even challenging him to a confrontation in Samui.
Rise and Dynamics of the Bantamweight Division
After a troubled 2022 with weight issues, Haggerty triumphantly rose to bantamweight, sealing a first-round KO victory over Nong-O Hama in April. The victory made him the center of attention, attracting challenges from ex-title contender Liam Harrison and second-ranked Felipe Lobo, Andrade’s teammate. Even Rodtang has shown interest in a third fight with Haggerty for another Muay Thai title. However, with the current focus on Andrade vs. Haggerty, the division seems to be momentarily stalled.
The bantamweight MMA landscape, where Andrade reigns supreme, is also in a lull. Former champion John Lineker and second-ranked Stephen Loman are set to clash for the opportunity to face him. The division experienced further turbulence when Petchtanong Petchfergus was stripped of his title and suspended after failing a drug test.
Matchmaking Concerns in the Spotlight
While the Andrade-Haggerty super fight is eagerly awaited, it hasn’t been without its criticisms. Asa Ten Pow, a Muay Thai contender, pointed out concerns about Haggerty bypassing divisions for a title shot. Pow, set to face Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon on September 30, expressed that fighters with a more established kickboxing history should get title opportunities. He believes fighters should consistently compete in the division to earn their title shot.
